The Derby boss – who earned the unfortunate nickname in his England days – rejected a three-game mission to rescue relegation-threatened Toon.

Tony Pulis, linked with the Newcastle job when Alan Pardew quit for Crystal Palace at the turn of the year, joined West Brom instead.

Wise move. Toon boss John Carver, who this week claimed he is the best coach in the Premier League, has been left to carry the can – and has won only two of his 18 games in charge.

But at least Newcastle yesterday regained some pride, halting a run of eight defeats – their worst sequence since 1977.

Baggies striker Victor Anichebe, drafted in for demoted Saido Berahino, rewarded Pulis’ faith by giving Albion the lead shortly after the half-hour mark.

But as the interval approached, Newcastle crucially hit back through rising star Ayoze Perez.

Sunderland’s 2-0 victory at Everton in the lunchtime kick-off, which saw the Black Cats leapfrog their local rivals, was the last thing Newcastle wanted and it intensified the pre-match tension on Tyneside.

PASSION: John Carver marched up and down the touchline all afternoon [ACTON IMAGES]

Carver – a Geordie born and bred – has had plenty to say lately but kept it brief in his match programme column.

All he wrote was: “The time for talking is over. Actions speak louder than words and we have to start delivering on the pitch.

“Get behind the team this afternoon and roar us on to three huge points.’’

Carver had to reshuffle his defence after Mike Williamson – who the head coach accused of deliberately getting himself sent off – and Daryl Janmaat were out following red cards in the 3-0 defeat at Leicester.

So desperate is Newcastle’s need that striker Papiss Cisse, who only a week ago was struggling to be fit before the end of the season after knee surgery, was on the bench following a seven-match ban for spitting.

Midfielder Moussa Sissoko roused the home crowd in only the fourth minute with a shot from distance that was just too high.

But four minutes later Newcastle escaped when Craig Dawson’s header, on the end of Craig Gardner’s left-wing corner, hit the far post before Youssouf Mulumbu’s follow-up was smothered.

GOAL: Victor Anichebe scored for West Brom [GETTY]

Newcastle had a set-piece opportunity of their own on 11 minutes when specialist Ryan Taylor curled a free-kick in from the left.

But Paul Dummett, switched from left-back to central defence to deputise for Williamson, got underneath his header.

When Newcastle won another free-kick, skipper Fabricio Coloccini – who penned an open letter to fans pleading for unity ahead of this game – met Taylor’s delivery.

The Argentinian defender’s knockdown fell to Sissoko, whose first attempt was blocked.

His second was cleared off the line by Joleon Lescott to sum up the Magpies’ mounting frustration.

And the level of anxiety moved up a notch on 32 minutes.

Jonas Gutierrez was yellow-carded for a foul on Dawson and when ex-Sunderland midfielder Gardner lifted the free-kick into the box, Anichebe headed inside the near upright of Tim Krul’s goal.

BATTLE: Darren Fletcher competes with Papiss Cisse [GETTY]

A reply didn’t look like coming, but Toon levelled four minutes before the break – and it was no surprise that the goal stemmed from a free-kick.

Gutierrez was the victim this time and from Taylor’s left-wing ball, which wasn’t cleanly struck, Perez steered a shot into the far corner of the net after getting a second bite at the cherry.

But West Brom’s lead should have been restored only three minutes into the second half.

Skipper Darren Fletcher emerged on the left and centred, but Gardner – racing in on the right – fired wide of the near post.

With little over 20 minutes left, Carver gambled with Cisse while Pulis sent on Berahino.

The woodwork then favoured Newcastle again in the 73rd minute.

HAPPY: Craig Dawson celebrates Victor Anichebe's goal [GETTY]

Chris Brunt’s header was brilliantly blocked by Dummett and the Northern Ireland winger’s improvised second attempt hit the frame of the goal.

Berahino was in on goal soon afterwards but Krul did well to deny the England striker.

Baggies sub James Morrison was lucky to stay on the pitch, picking up a booking and provoking fury on the Newcastle bench for an ugly lunge on Taylor eight minutes from time.

Sissoko’s powerful strike forced a late save from Boaz Myhill but Newcastle had to be content with a point.